How much can a Ford Bronco tow? Ratings by configuration for Southwest Houston drivers
Ford rates every Bronco, and the trim, engine and body style decide the number. The full-size Bronco and the Bronco Sport are rated separately. Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston, at 6445 Southwest Fwy, sells both new.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Houston. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Which Ford Bronco trim and engine tow the most?
Ford rates the Bronco Raptor highest, at 4,500 lbs when properly equipped with its 3.0L V6 and 4-Door body. Every other 2026 Bronco trim is rated at 3,500 lbs when properly equipped, whether it carries the 2.3L I-4 or the 2.7L V6.
Those ratings are Ford’s own published figures for the 2026 model year. The 3,500 lb rating covers Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition and Stroppe Edition. Only the Raptor sits above that line.
For a buyer weighing a trailer, the trim matters less than the engine and body style on the spec sheet. Check the figure against the trailer’s loaded weight before you sign.
How does each Ford Bronco engine change what it can tow?
The 2.3L I-4 and the 2.7L V6 both carry a 3,500 lb rating on the full-size Bronco. The engine does not change the number within that band. Heritage Edition and Stroppe Edition use the 2.7L V6, and Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands use the 2.3L I-4, and all six sit at 3,500 lbs.
Each figure applies to the trim named in the spec, with the stated drivetrain and transmission. A different combination needs its own check with Ford.
How do body style and towing package change a Ford Bronco’s tow rating?
Ford’s published 2026 figures are written for the 4-Door body.
Ford publishes separate towing figures for each trim and engine. Ask the store which package your trim carries before you commit to a trailer size.
How much can a Ford Bronco Sport tow, trim by trim?
The Bronco Sport is a separate model from the full-size Bronco, with its own tow ratings. Ford rates the Bronco Sport Badlands at 2,700 lbs, with the Class II Trailer Tow Package standard and the 2.0L EcoBoost engine.
The Bronco Sport Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks carry a 2,200 lb rating, available with the Class II Trailer Tow Package and the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The package is an option on those trims, so check that it is on the vehicle before you tow.
Keep the Bronco Sport figures apart from the full-size Bronco figures. A Bronco Sport at 2,700 lbs is not the same vehicle as a Bronco Raptor at 4,500 lbs.
What do the Ford Maverick, Ranger and F-150 tow, trim by trim?
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston also sells the Maverick, Ranger and F-150, and Ford publishes a maximum tow rating for each. A buyer who needs more than the Bronco can tow should compare these models before choosing.
The Maverick 2.0L EcoBoost AWD and 2.5L Hybrid AWD are rated at 4,000 lbs when properly equipped, with the extra-cost 4K Tow Package (53Q). The Maverick FWD versions are rated at 2,000 lbs.
The Ranger is rated at 7,500 lbs with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 and the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 when properly equipped. The Ranger 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (Raptor) is rated at 5,510 lbs.
The F-150 has the widest range. Ford rates the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 at 13,500 lbs in 4×4 and 13,300 lbs in 4×2, when properly equipped. The 5.0L PFDI V8 is rated at 12,800 lbs in both 4×2 and 4×4 configurations.
How do you find the tow and payload rating on your own Ford Bronco?
Start with the Tire and Loading label. Ford’s published procedure says to open the driver’s door and locate the label on the B-pillar or the edge of the door.
1. Open the driver’s door and locate the Tire and Loading label on the B-pillar or the edge of the door.
2. Look for the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lb” to find the maximum payload for your vehicle.
3. Note that the payload listed on the label is the maximum payload as built by the assembly plant; if you install additional equipment, subtract its weight from that payload.
4. When towing, remember that trailer tongue weight or king pin weight is also part of the payload.
Texas law sets its own trailer brake rules as well. A trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer with a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less is not required to have brakes, under Texas Transportation Code § 547.401 (2026). Heavier trailers, up to 15,000 pounds, need brakes when drawn at more than 30 miles per hour, and the towing vehicle’s service brakes must be able to stop it if the trailer breaks away, as Texas Transportation Code Chapter 547 requires.
Verify your specific vehicle’s door-sticker payload and hitch rating before towing.
Frequently asked questions
What trailer towing features does the Ford Bronco offer?
Ford publishes a maximum tow rating for each Bronco trim, and all full-size Bronco trims are rated at 3,500 lbs when properly equipped. The Raptor is rated at 4,500 lbs. Ask the store which towing package your trim carries.
How much does a new Ford Bronco cost?
Ford’s starting MSRP for the 2026 Bronco is $40,795 for the Base trim, $41,295 for the Big Bend, $48,190 for the Outer Banks, $48,890 for the Badlands, $51,625 for the Heritage Edition, $69,995 for the Stroppe Edition and $79,995 for the Raptor.
What warranty comes with a new Ford Bronco?
Ford’s 2026 Bronco warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles basic, 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain, and 5 years with unlimited miles for corrosion.
Can I test drive a Ford Bronco at home in Southwest Houston?
Yes. We offer home test drives and deliveries. Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston is at 6445 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074. Sales hours are Mon to Fri 9 AM to 8 PM and Sat 9 AM to 7 PM, and Sales is closed Sunday.
What should you ask any Ford dealer about towing before you buy a Bronco?
Ask for the door-sticker payload and the hitch rating for the exact vehicle you plan to buy. Heavy traffic on US-59 or Beltway 8 does not change the engineering max rating, but the door-sticker figure is the one to verify before towing.
How do I request Ford parts from Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston?
Parts can be requested through an online order form, and the store then confirms by contact. There is no checkout. Parts hours are Mon to Fri 7 AM to 6 PM and Sat 7 AM to 5 PM, and Parts is closed Sunday.
Can I schedule service for my Bronco online?
Yes. Service can be scheduled online through the “Schedule Service (Xtime)” link in the site navigation. Service hours are Mon to Fri 7 AM to 6 PM and Sat 7 AM to 5 PM, and Service is closed Sunday.
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston sells Bronco and Bronco Sport
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston is at 6445 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074, on the US 59 corridor inside Beltway 8. We sell new Ford vehicles, including the Bronco, Bronco Sport, Maverick, Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty, and we are part of Group 1 Automotive.
Our Google record is 4.3 stars across 4,732 reviews, and 77 in 100 of those reviews are five-star. Our sales team is open Mon to Fri 9 AM to 8 PM and Sat 9 AM to 7 PM.
A Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston customer wrote about the team that helped with a service visit. In a June 2026 Google review, Stephen C. wrote: “Zach Stein in service is awesome very helpful and great communicator. He’s an asset to the company and a truly good human. Amanda Myers in sales was fantastic to deal with. She made everything extremely easy and worked hard on my behalf to get the deal done. Another exceptional person. Jahn also was a great communication and handled the paperwork efficiently”
Start with the Bronco or Bronco Sport you are considering, check its door-sticker figure, and visit us at 6445 Southwest Fwy with your trailer’s weight in hand.
Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Houston showroom, or call 281-588-5000.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
